LETTER: Governement shouldn't prohibit marijuana research

Recently, long-overdue research by Dr. Abrams was published in Neurology, which indicates that smoked marijuana effectively reduces chronic neuropathic pain as well as acute pain for people living with HIV/AIDS. This study illustrates that medical cannabis provides people living with HIV/AIDS much-needed relief from pain and suffering. This study validates the experience of patients and their doctors.

Seven years ago the federal government issued a gold-standard report from the Institute of Medicine recommending that more research be conducted to review the appropriate therapeutic use of cannabis. Despite these recommendations, federal agencies often discourage medical cannabis research.

What does America gain by arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating patients seeking a cure or relief? What does America gain by having medical research of marijuana effectively banned? Prohibition of marijuana as a medicine is a crime against nature and a rejection of God's will.